Beach House Center for Recovery offers comprehensive treatment programs for patients with substance use disorders. Our experienced, dedicated team of addiction therapists and medical professionals provides a safe and compassionate treatment process.
What is Prescription Drug Addiction?
Taking any prescription medication for nonmedical reasons, in unintended ways, or above the physician’s prescribed dosage is prescription drug misuse. Chronic, uncontrollable prescription drug misuse is considered an addiction.
Approximately 18 million Americans over the age of 12 misuse prescription drugs by taking them inappropriately or for recreational purposes. Unfortunately, misusing prescription medications — particularly controlled substances — can lead to serious medical consequences and structural changes in the brain that could be permanent. Prolonged misuse of a controlled substance causes the body to adapt, leading the individual to require higher doses to generate the desired effects. When physical dependency occurs, the risk of overdose also increases.
A person’s propensity for addiction differs depending upon numerous factors. Individuals with a history of addiction in the family are often more likely to experience substance use disorders. Some people are at risk for substance use disorders because of an intense neurological response to depressant or stimulant drugs.
Commonly Misused Prescription Drugs
Drug misuse occurs most commonly with three types of prescription drugs:
Opioids. Oxycodone, codeine, and hydrocodone have become increasingly prescribed painkillers since the 1990s. The increase in opioid use can be attributed to numerous factors, including a rapidly aging population, an increase in people experiencing chronic pain, and aggressive marketing and distribution of opioid medications throughout the U.S.
Patients can safely use opioid painkillers under the close supervision of a physician and for a very short period. However, opioids have a very high potential for addiction and dependency. Long-term use as a solution for chronic pain can significantly raise the risk of developing an addiction.
Benzodiazepines: Benzodiazepines (benzos), commonly sold as Valium and Xanax, are also widely misused. Benzodiazepines are prescribed in the United States to manage anxiety and sleep disorders, treat seizures and seizure-related medical events, and as a pre-surgery anesthetic. This class of drugs interacts with a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which reduces brain activity, creating a sense of calm.
Like opioids, benzos can be very effective when administered with clinical support. Unfortunately, an estimated 44% of people within certain populations develop a dependency due to its high potential for addiction.
Stimulants: Common prescription stimulants include dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Stimulants are typically prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep disorders (narcolepsy and insomnia), depression, and eating disorders.
Stimulant drugs like Adderall have a high potential for requiring prescription drug addiction treatment. Not only do they cause a euphoric response by dramatically raising dopamine levels, but they also increase norepinephrine generation. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that influences focus and response time. Some users find that their concentration improves, and they feel sharper and more alert. Adderall and Ritalin misuse is highest among college students who use them as study aids.
Unfortunately, long-term misuse of stimulants like Adderall can cause neurotoxicity, a nervous system dysfunction caused by the introduction of natural or artificial toxins. Neurotoxicity inhibits normal neurotransmission, potentially leading to mental health disorders and cognitive decline.
Beach House Center for Recovery: Prescription Drug Detox in Florida
Beach House Center for Recovery is one of the most respected substance use disorder treatment facilities in the United States.
If you’re looking for a prescription drug detox in Florida, here are the primary reasons you’ll want to consider Beach House Center for Recovery.
- Successful Outcomes: Beach House offers highly effective treatment programs that yield encouraging long-term results. We employ a patient-focused methodology that addresses the individual’s unique needs. Rather than require patients to undergo inflexible and impersonal treatment programs, we partner with our patients to discover the best possible approach.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT):At Beach House, we are proud to be at the forefront of the latest innovations in addiction treatment. Under the appropriate supervision and with dedicated, ongoing support, MAT offers many patients a highly effective addiction solution. MAT can significantly lower the likelihood of reusing opioids and other substances when accompanied by a comprehensive psychiatric intervention and medical evaluation.
- Opioid Treatment Program-Certified:Beach House is a federally certified Opioid Treatment Program, the highest accreditation achievable by an addiction treatment center. This distinction is only awarded to facilities with stellar reviews, who submit to regular on-site visits, and who operate according to the highest standards of the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Our certification allows us to administer the appropriate medications for medication-assisted treatment plans.
Find freedom from prescription drug addiction. Contact our compassionate and helpful admissions counselors today.